Cost Effectiveness of Higher Education

The book is an outcome of pioneer efforts to examine the allocative efficiency of resources devoted to university development. First, it analyses the pattern of growth of higher education, particularly with regard to diversification of programmes and indicated the directions for change with a view to meeting manpower requirements of the emerging economy. Second, it assesses internal efficiency of a cross-section of institutions, mainly through the comparisions of unit costs which reflect the extent of economy in expenditure. The areas and nature of policy intervention for improving cost-effectiveness of university programmes are discussed. Third, the relationship between the magnitude of unit casts and students’ performance is critically examined which lend perspectives on financial and academic management. finally,the book draws relevant policy inferences or allocation and managemnt of resources: and recommends for performance linked funding, in which the aspects of fiscal prudence, effective delivery of high quality of relevant services and other socio-economic factors would determine the Government’s financial support for institutions. This book thus, provides the basis for financial reforms of university system and suggests measures for improving cost- effectiveness of university programmes.